Lionel Messi’s future at Barcelona has been a hot topic of conversation since the club’s 8-2 humbling to Bayern Munich, and Yaya Toure reckons that Man City could be the only possible destination for his former teammate should he decide to leave.
Messi is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in footballing history, helping steer Barcelona to a hugely impressive 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League‘s, and six Copa del Rey’s – and that’s not to mention the record six Ballon d’Ors he’s picked up along the way.
However, despite the regular stream of domestic trophies in recent years, the Catalan club have endured plenty of struggles, with a number of high profile signings failing to make an impact under several different coaches, while the club’s board has been heavily criticised for their running of the club.
Their Champions League humiliation last week has since prompted a fierce reaction, with Quique Setien having already been replaced as manager by Ronald Koeman, club legend Eric Abidal leaving his role as sporting director, and now talisman Messi threatening to quit the club.
Koeman is set to sit down with the Argentine to discuss his plans for the Camp Nou club, though should he opt to leave, Yaya Toure reckons Manchester City could be the only realistic destination for the 33-year-old, a move which would provide a reunion with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola.
“It is going to be complicated,” Toure said at the Hotels.com Dream Screen, as per the Star.
What next for Messi? ????
Here's what Koeman had to say ???? pic.twitter.com/uUJAkdCOe6
— GOAL (@goal) August 20, 2020
“From what I know, Messi loves Barcelona. He loves the city, he loves the club, he loves the philosophy there.
“But if he had to leave the club, maybe he could come to City. Why? Because City have the money to buy him and there are only a few clubs in the Premier League who can afford him, to be honest
“If he comes to City he is going to be good for City because the rest of the Premier League is quite intense and hard as well.
“The way Messi plays, few managers are going to love him because he just sits off to the side and does not want to defend much.
“In England – depending on who is going to criticise him for that – they want you to work, defend and attack and it is not easy.
“But if he came to England, I could see him playing for City because Guardiola knows him better and he could put him in this City team to play his football.
“I have a little bit of doubt that he is going to leave Barcelona, to be honest. Barcelona all boils down to Messi. If Messi leaves there is going to be a massive gap.”
Read – Five times Lionel Messi lit up the Champions League
See also – Analysing five stand out Lionel Messi statistics from the 19/20 La Liga season
